Improvement in fruit-crates



H. HUMPHBEYS 8:. E. W. HUMPHREYS.

Fruit Crates.

Patent ed Dec. 24, 1872.

AM PHOTO-LITHOGRAPH/L ClZMY/OSEORNFS PROCESS.)

wimwmz HUMPHREY HUMPHREYS AND PATENT OEEIoE.

EUGENE W. HUMPHREYS, OF SALISBURY, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENTLIN FRUIT-CRATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 134,205, dated December 24, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HUMPHREY HUM- PHREYS and EUGENE W. HUMPEREYs, of Salisbury, in the county of Wicomico and State of Maryland, have invented a new and Improved Grate for Berries, Fruit, 860., of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of our improved crate. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same, and Fig. 3 a vertical transverse section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to provide practical and economical means for transporting berries and other tender fruit in small boxes or baskets which are packed into crates. The invention consists in combining and constructing the parts of a crate as hereinafter fully described.

A in the drawing represents a berry-crate of suitable shape and size. It is made of horizontal slats a a, which are nailed to upright corner'posts, b d. At every corner there are two such posts, one, I), being on the inner side of the slats, while the post at is fastened against their outer side. The inner posts serve as braces and also to keep the tray B in place. The bottom e of the crate is a board,

preferably slotted to admit the air to the haskets. The baskets G O, of suitable construction, though by preference made with close sides and bottom, are placed upon the bottom of the crate, and then the tray B is put over them as a cover. This tray is a board or plate of very thin wood with slats on its under sur face. The next row of baskets is placed upon the tray and supported thereby. Finally, the lid D of the crate, which is hinged to one of the upper slats a, is folded down and locked. The tray does not close flush on the lower baskets, as its slats rest on the baskets, as shown. The contents of the baskets are thus kept cool by the air, which freely circulates through the open crate and around and over the baskets.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The horizontal slats a, outside posts (1, inside posts 1), bottom e, trays B B,baskets G O, and

lid D, all combined, constructed, and arranged as and for the purpose described.

HUMPHREY HUMPHREYS. EUGENE W. HUMPHREYS. Witnesses:

THOS. HUMPHREYS, W. L. BREWINGTON. 

